Super Bowl XLIII 2009

We along with the Elders were invited to Sylvia and Erik's home for the evening. Plans had to be postponed as Sylvia called and asked if Doug could come give her mother, "mama burgos" a blessing. They had taken her to the Urgent care about 10 miles down the road from us. The pain in her side was still with her. She had thought that it was just a strained muscles as she had been shoveling ice and snow on Thrusday. Had been sore since then. She was determined to go to the temple. After church today she was taken to Urgent care. We drove down and Doug gave her a blessing after which she was taken by ambulance to Middletown to the hospital for more tests. Just received a call that they had found two blood clots in her lungs. They will keep her for a couple of days. They are all dog people and have beautiful dogs. Mama and Emel had their dog in their car at the urgent care and Doug offered to take her home with us while they went to the hospital in Middletown.

So.....We invited the Elders over to eat, of course it was during the Super Bowl. Elder Georges made a yummy chocolate scratch cake, a recipe his mom makes. It was rich and yummy and enjoyed while checking out the score. Doug of course goes for the underdog - Arizona. The most exciting ending ever. Thought the Cardinals had it. Awesome catch in the end zone for the Steelers to win the game. Doug had to call Dusty to share the moment.

OUR BOSTON EXPERIENCE

Our traveling buddies: Roxanne in front, then Mama Burgos, Erik and Syliva
The Beautiful Boston Temple
One of the 48 cannons that were on the USS Constitution.
"One if by land, two if by sea". The Old North Church where Paul Revere held up the lanterns to warn the patriots, "The British are coming".
The entrance of the Temple

Faneuil Hall. It is still used for town meetings. The inside reminded me of the tabernacle, probably because of the balcony on the 2nd floor. I loved it.
"Cheers" where the TV show was filmed.
Gotta check out the "Harley" store.

We were blessed with the opportunity to attend the Boston Temple with 4 members of our little branch here in Monticello. Knowing we would probably never have this opportunity to see Boston, we left early Thursday evening. We plugged the hotel address in our GPS and away we went. To our surprise, we toured thru Connecticut all along the coast, skipped thru Rhode Island and then into Massachusettes. The weather was beautiful for the drive. Too bad it gets dark so early, as I would have loved to see the countryside during the day light. This was suppose to be a surprise birthday trip for Doug, but he learned of it when trying to get permission to go out of our area.

Friday we went on line to find a Harley Davidson shop. Found one right in the center of the old part of Boston. Right in the middle of all the History sites in Quincey Market. Best decision was to park the car in parking garage and walk. I really enjoyed Faneuil Hall and the USS Constitution. We took a Trolley City Tour. Saw all the sights, too cold to get off of the trolley for every stop. We had a great tour guide and learned all about much of the History. At dark we decided to drive by the temple and see the lights. We took a stole around the grounds and took a few pictures. Excited for tomorrow when we will go inside.

The Burgos family drove thru a terrible snow storm for a couple of hours Friday night. They stayed until Sylia and Erik got off work, then picked up "mama Burgos" and Roxann who lives in Pine Bush. We are about 250 miles away from Boston. The snow storm delayed them a couple of hours and they arrived at the hotel around 1:30 am.

We let them sleep till about 9:00 am. We learned of a few complications they were experiencing. Mama Burgos had been having sharp pain on her left side in her ribs. Silvia had broken out with a terrible rash all over her body. But they were very determined to go to the temple. Nothing was going to stop them. So at their request, Doug and Erik gave them priesthood blessings to help them through out the day. We enjoyed breakfast at IHOP with them and then off to the temple for a session, sealings and dinner. The temple has many wonderful memories for them as it is where they all received their endowments and where Sylvia and Erik were sealed. We were blessed with witnessing a sister being sealed to her parents and younger brother, all were deceased except for the sister. She was very excited, grateful and emotional. The sealer took some time to tell us a bit about the temple and when he was called as a sealer by president Hunter. A couple and their son who just received his endowment asked to join us. Their last name is Perks, we learned that Brother Perks served a mission with a good friend of ours, Kevin Ence. Their son has his mission call and will be going to Italy. After the session and waiting in the lobby, we ran into the Perks again. It was so fun hearing about his mission experiences with Kevin. How wonderful the bonds of love and friendship that still exist between mission companions after about 30 years.

We had a wonderful time. How we love the temple. Boston is a fun place to visit. Thanks to Mama Burgos, Roxanne Burgos Estrada, Sylvia and Erik Roberts for inviting us to go along and celebrate Dougs belated birthday. XOXOXOX

Remembering Diane

Doug's sister Diane would have been 50 years old yesterday. She passed away in December, a year ago. She is missed, but we know we will see her again. Doug and Diane were the same age for 5 days each year. Love you Diane! XOXOXOX

More Snow, Heavenly Snow

The whole time we were shoveling the snow it was either snowing, hailing or sleeting and then raining. We actually ended up shoveling it twice because after the first time we went in the building to take a break, have some hot chocolate and granola bar, we went back up there to finish up the back side and found about an inch of slush, just like a snow cone, covering the whole roof. That definately would turn into ice so we shoveled it off as well. The back side that still had 7 inches of snow on it, now had a hard crust of sleet on it. A little more difficult to shovel off.
The only evidence there is that I was on the roof doing my share of the shoveling is the fact that the only way I could have gotten this shot is while I was on the roof. I also have the sore muscles and bones. Too bad we didn't have an innertube. That would have been great fun sliding off the roof onto the snow that we had shoveled off. Jumping off the roof into the snow was as much fun as we had.During our break, Doug was anxious to go play with a big boy toy. If he could had gotten it on the roof, he would have. Sure would have gone a lot faster. But then none of us would have had the fine exercise we enjoyed. (Ha Ha!!!)

Because of the water problem at the church, due to the ice and snow on the roof, we spent the day on the roof shoveling off the snow and sleet. Elder Georges and Shakespear gave up their P-day to help us. They ended up getting grounded from driving because of the weather, so we invited them over for dinner and games. We were all so sore and tired from the day shoveling. It is nice to know that the job is done and that we will be able to have church there on Sunday.

Zone/District meeting

Zone Group Hug. We are United and Excited!!!! We will Baptize this Cycle!!!
Our District - A quick stop off at the OCC, Orange County Choppers, before headed back to Middletown and Monticello

After every transfer the Zones get together to become acquainted with all who transfered into the Zone. Today was that day. I always enjoy getting to know the Missionaries. We had four transfer in. Even more so I love being taught by the Elders. The spirit was so strong today as we all discussed what we need to do to be able to reach our mission goal of each companionship baptizing this cycle. We decided to start the cycle off with a Zone temple trip. Permission was granted from Pres. Searle, so our whole Zone will be headed to the temple next Wednessday. Everyone is excited to being in the Lords Holy House reconnecting with our covenants we have made and re-committing individually to do all that we can to to be worthy of the miracles that we are working for, praying for, and expecting. So any of you who read this and have the desire to help, please pray for us and join in our fast Wed, Feb 4th. We need your faith together with ours.

HAPPY 49TH B-DAY TO *DOUG*

Doug received this little teddy in the mail from KC, Kell, Allee, & Taylee. You push the teddy's belly and all four kids say "Happy Birthday Pampa, we love you". He has listened to it over and over and over. Of course, that is the best part about any holiday, hearing from your loved ones. The phone calls wishing dad happy birthday are cherished.
Happy Happy Birthday to my one and only true love!!!!!
The Elders came by late and celebrated with us
Elder Georges gave Doug a bird whistle from France, it sounds really cool. You put water in it and blow.
And this is what Doug thinks about growing older.

When your birthday is on Sunday and you are a missionary, it is just another day for the most part. Our day began early as we had to travel about 1 1/2 to get to church, or so we thought. Our GPS took us thru some back roads to New Paltz where we went to church and it ended up only being about 55 minutes to our destination.

As you have read previously, out chapel is closed for a bit because of water damage. We had to cancel church in our building but suggested to our branch members that they go to New Burgh, 52 miles away to attend church. Roxann Estrada, one of our members asked if I could find out when New Paltz branch started. I called Elder and Sister Farnsworth when their branch started and she invited us to come to their meeting and dinner afterwards. She somehow knew it was Doug's birthday and said she would fix him a favorite dish of his. To our surprise it was their Branch Conference and the Stake Presidency was there along with many of the stake leaders. Roxanne Estrada, her husband Luis, her sister Silvia and her husband Erik, along with their mama - "mama Burgos" were all there. So this little branch swelled with all the visitors. It was a full house. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious meal with the Farnsworths, yummy lasagne, salad and birthday cake. I had made Doug's favorite, German Chocolate with butter pecan frosting. I am sure our kids are smiling as they know how much he likes this cake.

We left from Farnsworths and taught lessons at two different part member families and shared pieces of his cake at each place. After arriving home that night, the elders showed up with Birthday wishes and we shared cake with them.

Split wood, then there's HEAT

Pretty long ice cycles, evident of the freezing cold weather we are having
Hopefully this will last a couple of weeks
Yes, I do know how to split wood.
Helping their 13 year old son learn to split the wood.

We were off to Sparrow Bush where president Murphy lives. He is still gone to Utah working. Thought we would split a bit of wood for them. The wood is their only heat and must keep it going so their pipes won't freeze. Doug has had to go down there when sister Murphy and the two kids had gotten stranded in New Burgh when her truck wouldn't start. We are happy to help and love being able to wear jeans.